Change in seed index of fresh and infested Jatropha seeds

Jatropha curcas L. has been considered a potential source of seed oil for the production of biofuel. The aim of this study was to estimate the seed index of Jatropha seeds after deterioration under storage condition. For estimation of seed index fresh, stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds were used. Seeds were infested with six dominant fungi viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporum and Penicillium glabrum separately and weight of 100 seeds (fresh and infested both) were determined during different period of storage. The seed index (100 seeds) of Jatropha seeds was declined from 3 months to 12 months of storage and also due to fungal infestation. Alternaria alternata infested Jatropha seeds were deteriorated much faster than other dominant seed mycoflora infested seeds